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Hi all and Happy New Year - great to hear from you Aussie girl! I too have put some weight on after maintaining for nearly 6 months! I have been eating crap over Christmas and it has finally come home to roost! I have also noticed that over that last month or so I can eat larger quantities so this has probably got something to do with it. So my goal now is to cut out all rubbish and watch my portion sizes and snacking between meals ( I obviously don't need the Snacks if I am eating more at meal times). I have finally joined the gym but have lost momentum over Christmas. I think I will buy myself a personal training package to get me going again for the year. Unfortunately I can't blame muscle gain on my weight gain as I just haven't been doing enough! Regarding stalls - I have come to the conclusion that some people's bodies just hold onto weight more than other people. I agree with everyone's advise on just sticking to the program - even if you are only dropping and average of 500 grams a week, if you add the weeks up it is a significant weight loss and more that most people could hope to achieve without the sleeve. My only advise is focus on developing healthy eating habits now as when you get to maintenance it is that much harder to break any habits you have formed over the great weight loss window of 6 months or so - I am learning the hard way and my surgeon did warn me about this (but who listens to the doctors all the time right!). I think it is nearly time for another Sydney Siders get together - Kelli - when did you say you would be in Sydney? Hope you can make it Aussie girl and Susan? All welcome of course!

Thanks Riley. I was just on her website looks good. I just need to see if she does fills..................without her doing the surgery. It would be great if I could get Kaiser to pay but I doubt it. I am gonna call her tomorrow to see what she charges and if she is willing to take me as a patient. I think a doctor in town would be better so if I need fills or unfills I don't have to go to ER I can just drive down the road............. Wish me luck. I think there is another lap band doctor in town here close to Sac State and my work. A girl at work that had gastric said I should call her surgeon. I am gonna tell Robin tomorrow what I am thinking about doing. Wish me luck onthat too!!! LOL. I really think I am considered a liability with Kaiser and they are handling my case and fills very different than normal.........I talked to someone at work who told me that leaving the band unfilled for to long does lead to being able to eat to much and weight gain.......she said I should look into a fill doctor in town and get a new start... I will update ya'all once I do my research tomorrow......maybe we can get fills in town?? I will have to figure out the price but if only 100 I could maybe do that every two or three months. WOuld be more than I am getting from Kaiser right now!! :-)

Morning everyone!! Deff check out Walmart Candra, like Pam mentioned. I have friends who have to get prescrptions there because of no coverage, and they only pay $10 or $12 bucks. You might get lucky and be okay! DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT GAIN! I am a yr out and only down 28lbs as of today. At one point I was BACK TO 235 (214 is my lowest) which is bad when surgery morning I was 247; We all have life and issues, and we all have to deal with them somehow. Regardless, you are still smaller then when you started and that right there is something to be happy about! =) Riley how is WW working for you? I go on and off the plan and can't seem to stick with it. Right now I am doing a basic low carb atkins, eating under 20 carbs a day since I don't do well with them. So far down roughly 9 lbs in alil over a week and a half and sure the gym helped as well

Hello Ladies, Thanks for all the support! Christine you ROCK! OMG this has been quite an experience. The day of was good had Icy and Ayesia to prep me. Dr> Park came and briefly spoke to me ,not too chatty as maybe Dr.Baggs. Went in OR at 10:00 came out ... not sure lol. I know we left Richmond around 3:30p.m. Rde was ok, I ust wanted to get home. Had difficulty sleeping GAS is my current nemises:frown:. I have been sipping and walking, however feeling awful still. I tried apple sauce today ad that was not a good ove I think I'll do clear for a while. I have this full sensation that is utterly wierd. I'm sure u guys felt it too. Now let me ask if anyone experienced not beng able to eat all 1/4 cup of applesauce and three ounces of water feelng like a bucket?? I didn't get a call fro anyone so I called and beverly asked that I try stage II.It maybe too soon for it. The good news is that I AM A BANDSTER:thumbup:!!! Iweighed 300 going into OR and weighed this morning at 295.4lbs quite exciting, I guess I didn't ge the weight gain effect. Someone please help wth the ticker thing. I wll post again when I feel a bit better. Once again thanks for all the support!!!

HI, today is my first doctor’s appointment and I'm hoping to get a recommendation for surgery. Not sure if Kaiser will approve. My BMI is almost 37 and I'm pretty healthy. Had an IUD for almost 5 years and just found out that's what probably caused my 50 pound weight gain? Now the weight just won't budge. Does anyone have any tips on how to get approval? :thumbup: Any help/tips would be apprecitated. Thanks, hot42

Glad you had a good time Riley woman! A little weight gain is nothing for you and your exercise addicted self - it will come right back off. Ok, so what is the deal with bread - why do you think it is such a problem - i can't eat it anyway because to look at a slice makes me gain 10lbs but why the problem after the band? Doesn't bread desolve quick?

Lunasa First of all girl hug Hang in there, look at the big picture, you have lost 24 lbs in 2 months. when was the last time you did that? that in it self is a big achievement!:clap2: I'm not lossing as fast as I would like either. Try to keep living one day at a time and stop comparing yourself with others. Perhaps there are other things going on with your body. Have you had your thyroid checked. It can cause weight gain, depression, and many other things. I know because mine was out of wack and I gained 60lbs in less than 5 months and I'm still trying to get rid of the weight. Perhaps you might need a full blood workup to check for diabetes and any other problems. I felt so depressed for about a year that I was having anxiety attacks almost everyday that would leave me curled up on the floor. I just wanted to die. I went to a doctor and got laser accupunture (sp?) and it wass great!!! I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I was so relaxed I couldn't drive. I had to recline in my car for about 1/2 hour to enjoy. The sun looked brighter and the birds seem to sing louder and I felt all was right with the world. That feeling lasted for about 3 weeks and I went back for another treatment. I did this for over a year, then I started looking into the band. When I went for my psych evaluation I was given several task to do and I realized what my triggers were and learned how to deal with them. It made me face life and deal constructively with it. My husband was at the root of all my problems and I had to learn to change my response to how I react to him. (I won't go into detail but it was bad.) He no longer knows what to expect of me and when I feel life caving in on me I announce to the world, my husband and even my 2 cats, "I'm not taking any crap today!" and everyone scatters and I have peace. If there are no support groups for you to attend find a upscale AA meeting to go to. All addictions are the same. Feelings the same. And the way we deal with them the same. I found this out when I took someone to the meetings every week for a few months. I have to admit it made me understand myself a lot more. Don't let this have power over you!! Know that you are not alone in this. Many of us feel the same way and just don't verbalize it. Much , much love to you!!

Hi everyone, I have not been on the forum much in the last two months as I have been busy with seasonal work. In many of my posts along the way, you might have noticed I was always waiting for restriction and the right fill amount. Well, I had nine fills and 9cc's in my band and still had hunger and lacked restriction. Had an x-ray last week and the Dr. believes my band is unlocked! I don't know if it has been unlocked the entire time or came unlocked along the way. I have a surgery date for him to go in and lock it. Hate the idea of being opened again and recovery etc. He says recovery should be easier as no port incision or stitching, just lock it and get out. Fingers crossed he's right about it all when he gets in there. At least I know why I was struggling to lose any more weight and I know it's not my fault. Fortunately my walking has prevented any weight gain and I have been able to maintain what I lost previously. I guess I will have to start all over again with the fill process however and that I am not looking forward to. I will discuss the option of at least one fill with floro with the Dr. I have been checking new posts on the forum, so I am kind of following along with everyone still, just haven't had a lot of time to reply to many.

Hi over 50 gang: I am so grateful to see this site. I am prebanded and my tag says I'm 47 but that is when I started this journey and I am still not banded. I have the worst insurance for LB coverage with Cigna and started with a borderline BMI 37/38. I'm going through the arbitration process ..it's been a long road. In the mean time I'm getting even bigger and morphing into a woman I don't recognize and I don't feel comfortable or particular like what I see at all and I feel like withdrawing and hiding. Most of my life I was a very attractive woman with a good figure and a happy attitude. Later age pregnancy and meopause took me to a weight gain I can't manage on my own. Now I don't know who this woman is in the mirror as of the past few years. The hot summers here are particulary difficult. I stilll go to the gym as I love yoga and excercise but I'm getting down about my new appearance and feel myself withdrawing. Though through all of these hormonal ups and downs one of the things that has kept me from feeling too down is the support I feel from woman in their 50s and 60s 70s and beyond ...woman in these decades of age are just so much cooler, less judgemental, kinder, just more supportive of their fellow female folk. I thank all of you for your smiles, kind words and support.

Hey bander friends, Has anyone had problems with excessive water weight gain. I mean the kind that has the lower legs so swollen your fingers can press deep dents into them. I usually take a water pill for my blood pressure but have been almost out and waiting for the mailed in prescription refill to arrive so I can take them only every other day to make them last. My body has obviously become very dependent on them because I am at my sweet spot and have gained 4 lbs over the weekend with less than 1000 cal in per day. I try to keep hydrated and get my 8 cups of fluid a day if not more but still am very bloated. My eyes are even swollen in the morning. Anyone have any quick home made remedies? Hopefully will get my prescriptions in the mail soon. I am so depressed that I am finally at my sweet spot and the weight goes up not down. There is no justice in this world sometimes. Ruthi

Hey there Loralei & JJ Welcome to LBT and the 50+ gang... As to the pre-op diet - I was lucky only had 7 days of it - but during that 7 days I had to do my colonoscopy so that was one day clear liquids and cleansing :eek: and the day before surgery was clear liquids - I was allowed one small meal - meat - salad - oatmeal for bf & soup or shake for lunch - and oh ya some great protein bars for snacks - so all in all mine wasn't too bad - My doc supplied the shakes, soups & protein bars - and I had 4 oz fish & salad for dinner.. Post op I was on full liquids for 10 days then mushies for 10 then soft for 10 and finally regualr - ck out the food thread there are great ideas there. You will find the longer you are on this site that EVERY Doc is diff in what he tells his patients - some have no pre op some have it for a freakin month - some have liquids for 2 days after surgery and move right to reg food. 1st if all you need to follow your doctors orders - the reason for the liquid is that they stiched your stomach around the band and they don't want that distrubed until it's all healed up - and digesting food make the stomach move so the band can slip and you don't want this. On full liquids I was allowed sf pudding fudgecicles creamed soups of course protein shakes - dannon light & fit yogurt to name a few - I found that potatoes soups were a lifesaver for me - you can find them in by the instant mashed potatoes or soup section. Also homemade broth is so much better than canned or boxed - I found homemade soups the best. I make what I call cream of pinto bean soup - make a pot of pinto beans just like you normally would - after they have cooked spoon out the beans and put them in the blender and puree them - then add them back to the broth - wohla cream of pinto bean soup - you can do the same with navy beans or any bean you like - since you are both in the 50+ club I assume you cook (the younger ones now a days don't - they got fat on fast food - where as I got fat on home cooked foods) The band is a great tool - but that's all it is - it does require will power - the will power to be committed to making a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating habits -(low fat - sugar free - low carb) and adding some kind of exercise into your life (phyl who post here - has bad knees - she does water arobics) Me personally I follow a Weight Watcher type eating plan as I feel its the most balanced - you budget your calories/points for the foods you want to eat. I could never be an atkins girl - I have to have some carbs. I keep a food diary - it is statistically proven that people who do - do better in their weight lost - it's real easy to forget this bite of this or that... I count calories & protein grams - I go to the gym 4 days a week I eat healthy 98% of the time and allow 2% of my eating for treats - not cheat - I am not dieting - I am just eating healthy - I won't always keep my food diary - once I get to goal - I will quit -but the second I gain 5 lbs - I will start logging my food again - Once I get to goal - I will never and yes I mean never allow more than a 5 lbs weight gain - I will never again say oh it's just 5 lbs - then next month - oh its just another 5 lbs no biggie - well before you know it - you are 250 again:eek: Ok - I guess i have lectured enough :thumbup: don't mean to sound preachy - but I LOVE MY BAND - I LOVE ME FOR DOING THE WORK - I FEEL 10 YRS YOUNGER..

Poor u Bigisis, it's horrid when you put on especially when it takes you into another stone mark. I'm still weighing in kg until I'm somewhere half decent! I just hope I can limit the damage to weight gain this pregnancy! I'm sure Aunty Wendy will help me on my way!! I'm sure I'll be referred to the consultants at the hospital anyway as my BMI is still over 35.

BBK...my doctor was actually happy to see that I had gained a couple of pounds. She was sorry that my medicine made me a raving lunatic that craved sugar like a cocaine addict. I was NOT happy to see a weight gain. I think you look gorgeous. Now if I could see bones sticking out of everywhere including your ears....I would say too thin. But you look radiant. I think they are jealous!

Hey Laura, INGDirect has great rates on cd's with no minimum. I think you could put a dollar in a cd if you wanted. I think if you are interested I can get you $25 by being a member? Let me know. I just got a cd that will be due at tax time, so I can pay my taxes (remember I am self employed!). Slept late this morning and feel a little better!!! It sounds like we all need a K.I.T.A. The holidays are coming and that is just another reason for us to beat ourselves up over weight gain. We need to lose, or maintain during this time.

Okay here goes nothing I am going to change my ticker to reveal my weight gain!! SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning all - well i was going to wait till Friday to see If I can stick it out with the 3 1/2c servings a day but I've gained another .3lbs so I quit. This can't be a one size fits all plan - back to my 4 mini protein meals tomorrow - gotta grocery shop today! It is the only way I lose weight - I have to eat every 3 hours. Got a busy morning but just wanted to say hi and vent a little on my .3 weight gain! boo hoo. I guess this is just a learing process for me Have a great day all and I will check in and catch up on the posts later this afternoon.

Mo-I had no idea that mine had eroded I thought because I gained weight from the baby I was just tight. But I was basically throwing up /PBing everything I would eat even sliders which is the opposite of erosion but at the same time I felt like I was always hungry and and couldn't eat enough. So when I went in and had the upper GI done they saw I had a hiatal hernia which was causing me to throw up and the band had eroded which is what was attributing to be weight gain and intense hunger. So when they offered me the sleeve I took it. I'm so glad I did. 4 weeks post op and I'm down 32 lbs. I spent two years being miserable with the band not being able to eat and always being hungry. It was a losing battle for me. So glad to see all of you on here!

Yep Riley good stuff. One reason I am trying to step back and not focus so much on the darn scale it becomes an unhealthy obsession for me. I want to lose still but not by worrying so much about how fast. I had a good talk with Robin this week. And told her EVERYTHING and she agreed with me some of my weight gain is the band is to loose. But they don't want me in the ER again so I told her they have to be ok with me going slow.. Cause when I am hungry I am gonna eat. Something good but I am gonna eat. I didn't do this to be miserable all the time. I told her I am thinking the band was not a good choice for me and about the sleeve. They still want me to try which I knew they would. LOL. I just told her I won't eat meat even if that means I fail and she understands and I told her I was frustrated. Anyway same stuff I tell you guys...... I told her some about the whole journaling with feelings and she liked that. I gave you alot of credit Riley Jane~~Or course she won't admit she knows you :-) Anyway she said I was doing everything right and she will talke to Dr. Baggs about what they can do.........ya no fill but like WHEN and how fast can I get fills............so I am going to see Dr. Baggs so we can figure out what to do from here. But ya I guess my appointments weren't cancelled I guess they wanted to check in with me before they cancelled which I didn't know and probably won't have agreed to. I am not one to hide things though. I say the truth the good, bad and ugly. Once they get me on the phone I put it all out there. First words of my mouth were I am fed up with the whole thing and not sure I wanna schedule fills until I can think about what is the utlimate goal here for us as a team....... Ok, ok.......probably way to much of my mouth but that is me. I probably didn't need to be on the phone with anyone that day!!! Tamra whats yor date???

Dr Oz says wellbutrin is suppose to address head hunger. But Celexa has a good rep for no weight gain..........ah yea right if you have restriction!! :-P

I've been doing a little reading. In the book, Bob Green's Total Body Makeover on page 62 it says "...As you become more active and drink more water, you muscles will retain water. The primary culprit here is glycogen, a form of carbohydrate that's stored in your muscles and is the main fuel for exercise. The more active you are, the more glycogen your muscles will retain and thus the more water you'll hold on to: Each gram of glycogen stores an additional 2.5 grams of water. What's more, the fitter you become, the more glycogen you store. This initial water weight gain can be disheartening, but hang in there. Water-weight gain will cover up the body fat losses that you will be experiencing. After a few weeks, you will begin to see the fat loss. And the reality is, this is a part of charging up you metabloism, which will ultimately lead to an increase in your fat-burning power." So think about it, you are doing weight training and building more muscle. More muscle, more glycogen, thus more water weight. That'w why it is necessary to measure yourself. The very fact that you are wearing smaller sizes shows that you are losing. Another point he brings up is: "Did you know that your body allows for only about a loss of three pounds of fat per week? Sure, you can lose water and muscle tissue that's how quick-fix diets thaqt promise you'll drop a lot of pounds instantly work, but you don't want to. ...but in general losing one pound or even a half pound a week means that you aare losing in a way that can last." A added more grains to my diet and seem to be more regular now. My weight loss may be a little slower but I know I'm healthier and I'm down 2 sizes. In fact I measured my neck last night and have lost 1-1/2 inches in a month. Now that's what I'm talking about!!!:clap2:

Morning Violets~ This is an interesting line of thinking. Self-esteem. I've been chubby since I was about 6. It began w/ the divorce when I was 5, through "time on the couch", I've learned that my weight gain is a result of my "abandonment issues"...stemming from the divorce and a young mom who was somewhat emotionally unavailable. Anywho...I started "chubbing up". My mom always told me I was beautiful, smart, and that I could be the president if I wanted. I mean it. If I ever got in trouble, it was not my fault, but "your g-damn friends...". My weight was never an issue...I was beautiful. I had what I coined "reverse anorexia". I looked in the mirror and saw a beautiful woman. I never felt fat. Now, I knew that I was "bigger" than most, but it never hindered me. I got every job I ever wanted...every man I ever wanted (yes, I used to date men)...and everything I ever wanted. My weight was a non issue. I was just fabulous as I was. I actually wrote to Oprah and said she should do a show about "reverse anorexia"...that when I look in the mirror, I saw a sexy woman, not the weight. At 240 pounds, I still felt fearless. I was sexy...and loving life. But it was the last 30 pounds that I started feeling fat. My body changed, and I wasn't proportionate anymore. You all know the rest. I got the band. But it is interesting to note how self-esteem governs our lives, and thoughts. Ta Ta For Now (TTFN)

I too didn't realize you got all your fluid taken out Nicole. But I know you can get back on track - you did great on the pre-op 1200 calorie diet - maybe you should go back to that? I hear you Tina - as we have found out most of our journey is not really about food - it is just our drug of choice to cover up the other issues. I truly believe that for me at least it is maybe better that I didn't get to goal in the first year as then I wouldn't have started to deal with my other issues and started to change my behaviors. I won't probably get to goal even in this second year (end of Aug will be 2 yr since I got banded), but that's okay too. I can't give any advice to the people who have sleeves, but I can let the bandsters know that if you think this is a quick fix - it isn't - and it wasn't intended to be one. It is all the gaining weight, losing weight, gaining weight etc. that messed up our metabolism to start with.

AAARRRGGGHHH I just lost my post---full of personals! Last time I think I began with Good Morning Ladies! LOL How irritating! It suddenly took me back to the homepage, and of course what I was working on was gone! Guess I'll try again!!! Jenn--I would have been very surprised if you had not had some weight gain with the new high fiber plan you have begun. The way the fiber works is to bulk things up and in order for that to work it needs added fluid. Once your system begins to "flush" (oh yeah I intended it) out, it should stabalize your weight, and your bathroom habits again. I would ask for Dr. advice if the nutritionist is not helpful as well! Michelle---Sounds like you will have fun tonight. I have never even read a single sentence of any of the books. I am not real sure why, I am an avid reader, usually a couple books going at a time. I don't know if it is that they were based on kids, or if it was the original fervor over it being anti religious or what but I was never drawn in. My step daughter wanted to go to the 1st movie, and we took her, but it made no impression on me, likely because I never read it. I thought about them when we began our summer reading, but thought it too advanced. I read to the girls each day at nap time, and have begun reading "chapter" books to Lindzie, attempting to help her with her recall abilities. She does not remember well. Things have improved some, with the steady daily one on one work we do, and my DD works with her a lot at home. I hope it helps her, I hate the thought of her struggling in school. Hope you guys have fun---take some pictures of you all in costume!! See you after your nap tomorrow!!! Terry--I am going to try to hit Curves sometime today. I am packing us to go to the rally. Rick went to the lake with our son. I could have gone, but opted not to. We will be outside for the rally, in the sun for the next 2 days---I didn't need today too. Plus they are working on the new motor, and I hate rowing, and being around men who are having fits working on something!!! DH controls his temper much better than DS!!! Tracy---girl I am so impressed and proud of you!!! One chip and One chicken taco!!! If I had that control, I'd be at goal now!!! You are soooo good! Pamela---same with you, vacation and one measly hamburger??? I wish for control like y'all have! Hope your appointments go well, and your closet is finished soon. I cannot imagine at this point having a closet that more than one person could fit in!!! Ours is made to walk in....but when we did the first stage of our remodel, we took out one bedroom, and enlarged the living room, when we did that, we lost the bedroom closet, and our living room coat closet.....so guess where it all migrated to!!! Our closets are appalling, but I do know what is in them, and where to find it, they just LOOK horrid! Judy---question! If I wear a WWJD charm, will it scorch my arm if I don't make as good of choices as say Tracy and Pamela????!!! Maybe it would work better for me if it did!!! TracyK---girl you are melting! WTG---Do you feel good? Well I didn't get to everyone this time around---will try to remember what I thought of before---but I need to go and help Lindzie with some math she is stuck on....we moved to double digits! TTYL Kat

WOW! Everyone is just doing so great!!! I'm so proud of all of you, and I have to admit...a little bit jealous. Judy - I hope you catch this before you leave...I know you've been looking forward to this trip for a long time! I know ya'll will have a wonderful time...enjoy every minute and recognize all of the reasons to celebrate! I am facing quite a challenge here in the next few weeks. And I gotta let you all know what's going on so that you can help me when I start whining!! That's your job, right? :car: Ok, so here's the story: Back in the fall of 2003 I quit smoking, started menopause and fell off the low-carb wagon. Triple Whammy DeLuxe. I went from 158-200# in about 18 months. I was pretty frantic but nothing I did helped with the weight. At some point my screwed up, desperate brain decided it would be OK to start smoking again to help control my weight....so I ruined my quit. It did help slow down my weight gain...but now, of course, I have to deal with quitting again. I've been taking Chantix (a new drug to help you quit) and it's working pretty well. Today is my first day without cigarettes and so far, so good. The REASON I mention all this stupid stuff is that I kind of expect over the next few weeks to be a tad bit cranky, maybe a little depressed, I'll probably even have MORE of a struggle losing weight, and might even gain! I'm going to try real hard to keep it under control and just DO what I need to DO, but I don't know if I have it in me without the crutch of cigarettes. We'll see. So, wish me luck on all fronts!! Ultimately I'm really hoping that with improved lung capacity I can kick up my cardio workouts...but that'll just help me 'break even' metabolically. It could be a rough ride. <sign> :help:

Thank you soooo much everyone for sharing your eating struggles and how you approach your daily life post surgery & weight loss. So enlightening & reaffirming. I too eat the same basic menu every day so I don’t have to think about what I’m going to prep & eat - makes grocery shopping a breeze too cause I buy the same foods every week. If I’m going out to eat, I check the menu & choose what I’ll order before I go so being tempted by what’s on the menu (or agonising over what I can eat) is greatly reduced. Genetics and hormones make losing weight a fight you have with one hand tied behind your back. I grew up hearing about my overweight relatives & how I would have to always watch my diet or I’d end up like them. I first put on weight when I went through puberty & then the last large weight gain was during menopause. I grew up on a vegetable farm so eating ‘healthy’ was my norm - lots of meat & vegetables & being very active. I believe my weight problems were exacerbated because I didn’t eat until dinner throughout my high school years. And then regularly skipped lunch when I was working - too busy to stop & eat. So I killed my own metabolism. At the moment it seems to have been resurrected & hopefully it will have a long, long life. Thank you for sharing.